Itching, burning, pain: navigating vulval skin conditions

NWMPHN and Mercy Health invite you to join this important session on vulval skin conditions.

Vulval skin conditions are common but often under-recognised and misdiagnosed. Many women experience symptoms such as itching, pain, discharge, or skin changes, yet these are frequently attributed to recurrent thrush or dismissed altogether. This talk aims to increase GP confidence in recognising and managing a range of vulval dermatoses, including lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. We will also cover when to suspect malignancy, how to conduct a sensitive and effective examination, and when to refer.  

Speakers:

Dr Stephanie Bond is an obstetrician, gynaecologist and sexual health physician at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, the Royal Women’s Hospital – where she is clinical lead for sexual health – and the Mercy Hospital for Women. She is the Vice President of the Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS). She is undertaking PhD research into congenital syphilis prevention and is passionate about providing holistic care for people affected by vulvovaginal conditions.

Dr Kathy Cook is one of Melbourne’s leading gynaecologists in the field of vulval vaginal conditions. She is also an obstetrician with decades of experience across Melbourne’s tertiary women’s hospitals. She is also a fellow of the College of Physicians, specialising in sexual health medicine.

Dr Alice Truong obtained her medical degree at the University of Melbourne and completed her specialist training at the Mercy Hospital for Women. In her advanced fellowship years, she gained further experience in high-risk obstetrics and ultrasound at the Royal Women’s Hospital and Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and in minimally invasive surgery at Epworth Freemasons. During this time, she obtained a Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and has also completed a Masters of Reproductive Medicine with a focus on fertility. 

Alice has a special interest in vulval dermatology and is one of the consultant gynaecologists at the Vulval Dermatology Clinic at Mercy Hospital for Women. She consults privately at Bae Women’s Health in Mitcham, and provides general gynaecological, obstetric and fertility care, delivering fertility services through Newlife IVF in Box Hill. 

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify the clinical features, differential diagnoses, and management strategies for common and complex vulvovaginal conditions to allow for accurate diagnosis and develop a tailored management plan.
2. Demonstrate a structured approach to diagnosing and managing refractory vulval conditions, incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes.
3. Evaluate the role of systemic and topical therapies, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications in the management of chronic vulvovaginal conditions to provide holistic care.
4. Discuss treatment options for vulvovaginal diseases to adequately communicate with peers and allow best practice care.